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Living as the Church

Did you know that Jesus prayed for you the night before He was crucified?

John 17
Jesus Prays for Himself (vv. 1-5) Jesus Prays for His Disciples (vv. 6-19) Jesus Prays for All Believers (vv. 20-26)

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:20–23)

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:20–23)

Why did Jesus pray for unity?

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:20–23)

What is unity?

What would unity look like in CAFE?
1)

When was the last time someone asked you about your faith?

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1 Pet. 3:13–16)

What should happen when we suffer for doing good?

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1 Pet. 3:13–16)

But it doesn’t happen like that for most churches. There isn’t anything compelling about the way we live together.

• Our love isn’t very noticeable. • Our unity is either nonexistent or hidden behind the doors of the fellowship hall. • When we suffer, it’s usually because we’ve done something wrong. • In the rare event that we experience suffering that we didn’t earn, we respond by complaining.

We end up coming across like salespeople peddling a product that didn’t really work for us.

We should all pray for the courage to tell others about Jesus, but we also should be working toward the love and unity that makes the church attractive.

Jesus’s strategy was the life of the church. We must stick with His plan and pray that supernatural love begins to characterize our churches.

Jesus said that the world would recognize us by our love and unity.

Peter said that people would be compelled by our hope.

But are love, unity, and hope the words that unbelievers use when describing CAFE?